The last time he was beaten by school bullies, at l7, Jamie Nabozny required hospitalization. The gay teenager ran away to Minneapolis, in 1993, resolving never to return to his hometown. He had been hassled by thugs since middle school. He sought refuge at YOUTHLINK, a Minneapolis center for homeless young people between 16-24.

A case manager helped him get counseling, shelter, eventually an apartment through Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, a bus card...